The province of Antwerp consists of three major areas: the surroundings of the City of Antwerp, the area around Mechelen and the Antwerp Kempen with Turnhout as a city. This province has a lot to offer in the recreational area. The main waterways are the Scheldt, the Rupel, the Grote and Kleine Nete. In the vicinity of these watercourses are often beautiful areas for walking. But if we then moved to the Antwerp Kempen with the typical sandy soils, we will end up in a completely different nature. In short, a fascinating province with something for everyone.
Province Antwerp
Walking in the Province of Antwerp.
Walking Networks.
Walking network Rivierenland.
The Rivierenland network connects the most beautiful landscapes of Mechelen, Willebroek, Niel, Boom, Rumst and a bit of Sint-Katelijne-Waver into a network of 310 km of footpaths, connected by junctions.
Hiking network Land of Stille Waters.
In the tourist region Scheldeland there is a walking network with junctions of 257 km. With hiking network Land van Stille Waters you walk through the photogenic scenery of the Scheldeland, you will visit Bornem, Puurs, Sint-Amands, Hamme, Dendermonde, Opdorp and Malderen. You will find a pristine tidal landscape of mud flats and salt marshes and numerous moody corners. The network has 257 km of great hiking trails!
Walking network Kempens Estate.
Vast, green farmlands and colorful gardens with a country house, a farm or a castle. Slowly gliding past the landscape, enjoying peace and quiet. The network extends over the estates De Schrieken, Gorp and Rovert and the immense lands of aristocratic families such as Cartier and Emsens, the Regional Forests of Ravels and the domain of the Hoge Vijvers in Arendonk. In the midst of this peace and nature you wander through heathland and past fens, sand dunes, burial mounds, windmills and chapels. In the early days of many noble families because of the hunt in the vast heathlands, from now on the perfect backdrop for 290 kilometers of walking pleasure along the junctions. Walking network Kempens Landgoed connects in the west to the Dutch walking route network Baronie Oost, in the north to walking network Land van de Leije and Land van Hilver and in the east to the hiking network Reusel-De Mierden.
Walking network Kempense Hoven.
Walking network Kempense Hoven serves 480 kilometers of walking pleasure in the heart of the Antwerp Kempen. The network connects the most beautiful hiking trails in Beerse, Brecht, Lille, Malle, Ranst, Rijkevorsel, Schilde, Schoten, Vosselaar and Zoersel. The name refers to the 'courts of plays', the former outer goods of the urban bourgeoisie and castles of local land nobility. The many beautiful castle domains are often in an equally beautiful setting.
In addition to castles, villas and forts, you will discover varied pieces of nature during your walk. Like old clay pits along the canal, heathlands, the untouched Antitankgracht or the legendary Zoerselbos.
Walking network Kempense Heuvelrug.
As real pioneers in the field of walking experience, the municipalities of Kasterlee, Herentals and Retie already developed the first walking network in Antwerp in 2005, the network Kempense Heuvelrug. The walking network Kempense Heuvelrug links 272 kilometers of the most beautiful hiking trails. Walkers are spoiled with green pine forests, the winding Kleine Nete, impressive sand dunes and special nature reserves await you. Didactic signs and observation posts also introduce you to a unique fauna and flora along the way.
Walking network De Merode.
In 2004, the prince de Merode sold 1,500 hectares of land in one go: as if it were a dream setting for a walking network opened to enthusiasts. The domain de Merode is one of the largest green areas we know in Flanders and offers walkers a fantastic piece of nature in the middle of the Antwerp Kempen.
Walking network Kempense Heide.
Walking network Kempense Heide, a brand new walking network in the Noordertuin of Antwerp that will charm the walker all year round with its endless color palette.In spring you can see the greenery in the parks sprout. The rhododendrons and azaleas provide a sea of white, pink and fuchsia in May and June. At the end of the summer the heather turns purple. The autumn sun sets the forests on fire, a mini 'Indian Summer'.
And golden witch hazels forget the bleak winter months.
Walking network Kempense Landduinen.
Walking network Kempense Landduinen serves 340 kilometers of walking pleasure in the municipalities of Balen, Geel, Meerhout and Mol (Heidehuizen). The rectangular red-white signs with number keep you on the right path. The name refers to the land dunes that appear here and there in the landscape. It concerns remnants of ancient sand dunes. Some are a few dozen meters high, others are less easily recognizable.
Sleeping in Antwerp.